Wheel Alignment vs. Wheel Balancing: What Does My Car Need?

Tires are essential for your car’s performance and safety. Without properly functioning tires, your vehicle wouldn’t go anywhere—much like the Tin Man without oil. But when it comes to tire maintenance, how do you know if your car needs a wheel alignment or wheel balancing? Let’s break it down and help you understand the difference.

What Is Wheel Alignment?

We’ve all heard of wheel alignment, but what does it really mean? Wheel alignment adjusts the angles of your wheels so they’re perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other. This ensures that your car drives in a straight line and helps maximize the lifespan of your tires.

Signs You Need a Wheel Alignment:

The steering wheel won’t stay straight.
Tires wear unevenly or wear out quickly.
Your vehicle pulls to one side while driving.

If your car is showing any of these signs, it’s time to bring it in for a wheel alignment at Team Ryan Automotive.

What Is Wheel Balancing?

Now that we’ve covered alignment, let’s talk about wheel balancing. While it’s easy to confuse the two, wheel balancing is different from alignment. Wheel balancing ensures that the weight of the tire and wheel is evenly distributed. Properly balanced wheels minimize tire bounce and improve your car’s traction and steering control, leading to a smoother ride and extended tire life.

Signs You Need Wheel Balancing:

Uneven tread wear, often in a cupped pattern.
Vibration in the steering wheel or floorboards at higher (or any) speeds.
Poor fuel economy.

If you notice any of these issues, it’s likely time for a wheel balancing service. Team Ryan Automotive can help!

Importance of Tire Maintenance

Both wheel alignment and wheel balancing are essential for ensuring your safety and maximizing the life of your tires. Regular tire services, including rotation, alignment, and balancing, will keep your tires in optimal condition, saving you money on premature replacements.

Why Choose Team Ryan Automotive?

At Team Ryan Automotive, we’re committed to delivering quality service and making sure your car stays safe on the road. We pride ourselves on our expertise in tire care and maintenance, ensuring that you always receive the best advice and solutions for your vehicle.

The Importance of Proactive Tire Maintenance

Being proactive about tire services will save you money in the long run by preventing uneven tire wear and costly repairs. If you think your car may need a wheel alignment or wheel balancing, don’t hesitate to reach out to the auto experts at Team Ryan Automotive. We’ll help keep your car driving smoothly and safely.

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Team Ryan Automotive is now in Sugar Hill / Suwanee

By Shara Ryan • January 2, 2026

As we head into the new year, we are kicking things off with exciting news for the Sugar Hill and Suwanee community, because Team Ryan Automotive is officially in town! Since opening our doors in 2015, Team Ryan Automotive has proudly delivered exceptional service and trustworthy repairs in Buford, GA (Gwinnett County) and Cumming, GA (Forsyth County). Today, we are excited to bring that same level of care, expertise, and community commitment to drivers in Sugar Hill and Suwanee with our newest location at 820 Brogdon Rd, Suwanee, GA 30024. Did you know that it's possible to be in Sugar Hill city limits while having a Suwanee address? That's exactly where our Team Ryan Automotive Sugar Hill / Suwanee location is positioned. A Meaningful Transition This new location represents a special passing of the torch. After 26 years in Gwinnett County, John and Lori of J & L Automotive are retiring and entrusting their previous customers to be taken care of into 2026 and beyond by Team Ryan. As a husband and wife team, John and Lori built their business on trust and care. Those same values continue with husband and wife team Dan and Shara of Team Ryan Automotive, making this transition a natural fit and a continuation of a strong local legacy.

Auto Repair You Can Trust for Every Driver

By Shara Ryan • December 31, 2025

Auto Repair You Can Trust for Every Driver Every driver has different needs, but whet her you’re commuting in a family SUV, managing a fleet truck, driving your first car, or serving the community as a first responder, you deserve an auto repair shop that puts honesty, safety, and expert care first. At Team Ryan Automotive, serving Buford, Cumming, and Sugar Hill / Suwanee, our family-owned shop is built on one promise: Your car. Your needs. Our expertise. For Parents & Family Drivers Your vehicle carries the most important passengers in your life. From school drop-offs to weekend errands, we help keep your car safe and reliable with: Oil changes and fluid checks Brake repairs Tire rotations and alignments AC repairs and multi-point inspections At Team Ryan Automotive, we believe trust starts with transparency. That’s why we never hesitate to walk you out to the shop and show you exactly what’s going on with your vehicle. Seeing an issue firsthand helps ensure clear communication and confident decision-making. We also use Digital Vehicle Inspections (DVI) to keep you fully informed. Each inspection includes: Photos of your actual vehicle Clear descriptions of any recommended maintenance or repairs Honest explanations—no pressure, no surprises You’ll always know what your car needs and why. For Young & New Drivers A first car should come with confidence. We offer: Clear explanations Honest recommendations ASE-certified diagnostics No pressure. No confusion. Just a trusted mechanic you can rely on. For Contractors & Fleet Drivers When your truck is your business, downtime isn’t an option. We provide: Fast diagnostics Brake and suspension repairs Tire services and alignments Routine fleet maintenance We help keep your workday running smoothly. For First Responders & Essential Workers We're honored to support our community heroes with dependable, transparent auto repair you can count on, every visit, every time. Our team has the experience and equipment to service a wide range of vehicles, including: Vehicles up to 15,000 pounds Sprinter vans Emergency and service vehicles Dually trucks and work vehicles Why Drivers Choose Team Ryan Automotive? Family-owned and operated ASE-certified technicians Honest diagnostics, no upsells High-quality parts and repairs Lifetime Warranty on most services Convenient online scheduling Whether you’re searching for auto repair near me, oil change in Buford, or brake repair in Cumming, Team Ryan Automotive is here for you.

Proud to Support Champions: Congratulations to the Buford Wolves

By Shara Ryan • December 22, 2025

What an incredible season and a moment of pride for the entire Buford community. This championship represents a true dedication to hard work, discipline, and teamwork, and it is a testament to a program that continues to set the standard both on and off the field. At Team Ryan Automotive, we are incredibly proud to be a sponsor of this outstanding program, not only for what these athletes accomplish under the Friday night lights, but for the leadership and character they demonstrate beyond the game. The Buford Wolves consistently show that success is about more than wins and trophies. It is about integrity, accountability, and lifting others up along the way. Earlier this year at a Buford Academy pep rally, the football team took time to personally connect with every child in the room, making each student feel seen and valued. Moments like that show what this program truly stands for. Character. Community. And doing the right thing even when no one is watching. Our son Aidan shared how much it meant to him that he “got to slap hands with the real football team players,” a small moment that left a big impression. Experiences like that inspire younger students and remind all of us how powerful positive role models can be. That spirit of leadership and heart is something our family and our entire team at Team Ryan Automotive align with wholeheartedly. We believe in showing up for our community, supporting one another, and leading by example, values we see reflected so clearly in this program. Well earned, Wolves. Buford is proud of you, and we are honored to stand behind such an incredible team. 💚🏈